Kazakhstan topped the new Global Peace Index (GPI) in Central Asia, released by the Institute for Economics and Peace recently. Kazakhstan was ranked 72nd (up three positions) globally and second in the Eurasian region, behind Moldova (62nd).

The Kyrgyz Republic has seen the best improvement, according to the Index, gaining 12 positions and ranking at 111th place.

Next, by gained positions, was Uzbekistan -- with eight positions up the country ranked 101st.

“Uzbekistan saw the strongest improvement in the region, the report quoted. “Following the death in September 2016 of the long-time authoritarian leader, Islam Karimov, the new president, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has made some positive reform announcements. This includes boosting the role of the legislature and strengthening the rule of law, although progress on any tentative democratising plans is likely to be minimal.”

Tajikistan has also gained some positions; it was ranked 118th with four places up from the previous release.

Only Turkmenistan from the Central Asian reigon, showed a downturn and lost 13 positions and settled at the 119th line in the global ranking.

“The deterioration in Turkmenistan’s overall score was driven by worsening relations with neighbouring countries and Iran over a dispute about gas payments, causing tensions between the governments of the two countries,” the report said.

As for the Eurasian region, Ukraine and Russia were listed at the bottom of the index, see screenshot.

Syria was ranked the least peaceful country in the world for the fifth year in a row, while Iceland remained the most peaceful country in the world as it has been since 2008.

The other four most peaceful countries are New Zealand, Portugal, Austria, and Denmark.

According to the creators of the report, GPI covers “99.7 per cent of the world’s population, using 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators from highly respected sources and measures the state of peace using three thematic domains: the level of Societal Safety and Security; the extent of Ongoing Domestic and International Conflict; and the degree of Militarisation.”

The overall score for the 2017 GPI improved slightly this year due to gains in six of the nine geographical regions represented. This is the first improvement in global peacefulness recorded since 2014 and does not necessarily indicate a new trend. Of significance is the number of countries that improved, 93, compared to those that deteriorated, 68.”